of cincinnati



Feb.17,1931. s. w KIRK 1,792,590

DUST COLLECTOR Filed Aug. 3, 1928 I 31a/vento@ Patented Feb. 17, 1931 UNITED. STATES SYLVESTER W. KIRK, CINCINNATI,

PA'rula'l- OFFICE p' DUST COLLECTOR Application led August 3, 1928. Serial No. 297,221.

This invention relates to a collecting system for conveying waste material, such as dust and larger particles, of all kinds, and especially to the separation of dust from the air discharged into the atmosphere from such systems.

An object of the invention is to provide means for an ordinary collecting system to render more eiiicient any dust separator which may be used in connection therewith.

Another object is to provide means whereby moisture, preferably in the form of a finely divided spray or vapor, may be injected into the collecting or conveyor pipe,

at an eiective location, lto combine withthe lighter particles of waste material during their travel through the system to eliminate the problem of dust escape at the separator.

Another object is to by the iinely divided matically controlled.

A further object is the elimination of elaborate and expensive structures and devices for removing dust from air in large quanti- 2s ties.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a collecting system embodying the means of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a modified form of the device.

In the art to which this invention pertains it is a wellV known fact that the disposition of the finely divided dustiwhich usually accompanies other Waste material conveyed from the various machines of a factory, has been a problem presenting considerable. difficulty. Although various kinds of means have been used with some degree of success, it has been found that the air exhausted from provide means wherevspray may-be autosystems equipped with such devices contains dust in quantities suiiicient to render the surrounding atmosphere disagreeable and unhealthful. .Attempts at wetting the dust as it issued from the separator were unsuccessful. By means of the device disclosed herein, the exhaust air maybe cleansed and freed' of practically all dust and like'particles.

electric motor 7 l intervals with branchpipes 8 for connection Dust resulting from the shaping and finishing of kiln dried lumber has heretofore been impossible to control. This comprises minute particles of infinitely thin, `flat and irregular shapes and of relativelylarge surface area. the particles remain suspended in still air for a considerable time and have heretofore defied attempts to preclude their escape from thus at once increasing the weight of the particle and also breaking up or curling the particles so that there is nary cyclone separator. In heretofore used systems, even when equipped with specially prepared separators, great quantities of the finely divided dust from hardwood working lestablishments can be seen emanating from the separators in a form not unlike smoke, the cloud-like masses taking the color of the material operated upon. lf such a system is less resistance to air. rEhe particles are then easily controlled by an ordi- OHIO, ASSIG-N OR TO THE KIRK & BLUM MANU- Because of such large surfaces, v

improved by adding to it the simple structure of this invention, the smoke-like emanations may be seen to disappear and reappear as the moisture' or spray is introduced and shut ofi'. Water is the most inexpensive liquid for the purpose as it may be supplied in various forms and from -various sources such as an ordinary supply pipe or from exhaust steam.

Fig. 1 disclosesa collecting system of an approved type, in which is installed the spraying means and an automatic control therefor.

The device comprises la suitable conveyor conduit 4 connected to a housing 5 supporting a fan 6 which draws air through the conduit 4. ,The fan is drivenby means of an Conduit 4 is provided at withy various machines of a factory lor like establishment, for conveying dust andwaste `material therefrom. Connectedto .the fan housing` is a discharge conduit 9 through which waste material may be conveyed to a separator 10 of any suitable type. The separatormay discharge the waste into a boiler lor other place of disposal of waste material, if desired. The air escapes into the atmosphere from the` top of the separator in the usual manner.l

Means is provided for injecting into the conduit 4c a spray of water or other liquid indicated by 13. Said means comprises a pipe 11 extending into the conduit 4 through an opening 12 disposed at a distance from the fan housing 5. The pipe is provided at its free end 14 with a nozzle 15 suitably constructed to emit a spray. The nozzle if desired may be so constructed as to emit a spray in variousy directions, as shown in Fig. 1.

Automatic control of the Water spray is attained by means of a valve 16 having a valve lever 17 which is pivotally mounted upon a piston rod 18. Upon the free end of piston rod 18 is secured a plunger19 slidably fitted within a cylinder 20 having communication I. with the conduit 4c. It should be clear that the plunger will assume various positions within the cylinder 2() as the pressure in the conduit increases or decreases. If necessary a spring 21 maybe u itilized for urging the valve toward the closed position. It is to be understood that any ty e of valve suitable for such use may be emp oyed for controlling the flow of waterthrough pipe 11. At 22 the spray is shown located in the discharge conduit 9. This location shown at 12 however is more eiective because of the mechanical churning of moisture and dust in the fan chamber.

InJ Fig. 2 is shown an electrical means for actuating the valve 16. The valve of Fi 2 is provided with a dividin Wall 23 prcviided with a seat 24 upon Whic a valve disk 25 may seat for cutting oi the flow of nwater through the valve. A spring'26 ur es the valve toward the seat 24:. Numeral 2 indicates an electro-magnet connected in series with a motor 7 whereby the magnet remains energized sof long as the switch 28 to the motor is closed. The core 29 of the electro-magnet 27 attracts an armature 30 mounted^upon the stem 31 of valve.16. It should be noted that when theswitch 28 is open for stopping `the Vmotor 7, the electro-magnet will be devenergized thereby permitting spring 26 of he valve to return the valve to closed posiion.

'.Ihe pipe 1I is preferably placed in the conduit a few feet ahead of the fan. Power is conserved and eihciency of 'operation increased by introducing the spray Iof water or moisture adjacent the fan casing. Although a articular type of valve and control there or are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that variv ous types of valves and control mechanisms therefor may be employed. It is p'ossible to make various changes in the structural detail pipe and means associated with the air movlng means for actuating the valve.

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a conduit for conveying material includin finely divided particles, means for pro ucing air movement in the conduit, a separator, a discharge conduit providing communication from the first conduit to the separator, a source kof water supply spray means extending from the source ci water supply into the discharge conduit, a valve for controlling the Water supply, and means for automatically actuating the valve.

3. In a device of the class described the combination of a conduit Jfor conveying material including iinely divided particles, a

fan, aseparator, a dischargle conduit provid- ,ucts from kiln dried lumber and other Waste products containing air floating particles the combination of a conduit system means for effecting velocity air movement therethrough for conveying such Waste products, a mechanical separator for removing heavier particles of the Waste material and means arranged to operate, upon operation of the air moving means to apply a moisture medium to the material as it moves through the system whereby air floating particles are conditioned during their movement through the system lfor effective removal by the se arator.

5. In a device of the class descri ed the' combination of a conduit for conveying material including finely divided particles, electric motor operated means for producing movement of air in the conduit, a discharge conduit, a water supply pipe extending into one of the conduits, a spray nozzle on the Supply Plpe, a passing through the pipe and means operable upon completing electrical connection to the motor, for actuating the valve.

ves

valve for the control of water In testimony whereof, I have hereunto.

subscribed my name vthis 20th day of July, 

